@johnpowell – That’s what I was thinking. Apple is pretty tight with things like this, which is why it’s only on Android now. Find my iPhone can do this, but then the device can only call emergency services, not an ICE contact (ICE= In Case of Emergency), which I think Apple could easily integrate into their existing system. They have VIP contacts, they could also create ICE contacts and allow those to be called/texted if the device is wiped via find my iPhone.
@Mimishu1995 makes a good point, too – I also miss text messages at times, because I often don’t feel it or hear it since I don’t stare at the thing all day, and I often have it fully muted. Also sometimes texts don’t go through. My best friend texted me the other day to ask about the timing and dress code for an event we have planned this weekend. I replied several hours later. After 24 hours passed without confirmation, I texted to request confirmation, and the reply was, “What”? So I sent a screen shot of the SMS screen, and they sent theirs – my message with the time and dress code never went through. We are both on iOS, but one on Verizon and the other on AT&T… the message I sent is blue, indicating it was sent as iMessage rather than SMS, which is green, and did not have the notification of a failed message beside it. My significant other is on Android, but uses the same carrier as I do, and messages don’t always get through there, either.
@ibstubro and @SABOTEUR – I’ve seen and known too many manipulative parents who would use something like this to nag their kids, or at the very least, hold it over their heads. My kid has had a cell phone since 12, and the ground rules were made very clear from the beginning – and enforced consistently. Any overages result in loss of use of the phone, are paid to me before they get the phone back. The phone is turned over to me at 9 PM and turned off and put on a charger. When and whether they got the phone the next day depends on the planned activities and their behavior.
Privileges have to be earned, and responsibility has to be learned. It’s a progressive process over the course of 18 years. It seems that many parents think they can give a kid a privilege or responsibility, and expect them to handle them like a responsible adult, but then freak out when they make a mistake. Now my kid is older, and knows the routine to plug it in every night, and when they get in the car. They know to turn off Bluetooth and WiFi when they’re not using it, etc. The battery does die sometimes; but I still sleep soundly if they haven’t replied, because they’ve earned my trust.
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